Melinda, Spreading HOPE for Baby Oak

Ambassador Melinda Peterson, fundraising in memory of baby oak

“Oak taught me to be open to the wonder of an after loss parent-child relationship that is spiritually connected in love and possibilities.

An RTZ HOPE retreat was a pivotal moment in my grief journey. RTZ HOPE offered inclusive community through an incredibly isolating experience. The transformation I felt from the retreat led me to start integrating my loss and offered tools for deepening my relationship with Oak.

It is paramount that RTZ HOPE exists as a resource for other parents navigating loss in the future. RTZ HOPE offers programs and support groups that are diverse, inclusive, and unique to many situations of loss. RTZ HOPE also offers ongoing support for integrating loss(es) over time, so that no matter how long it has been or what your beliefs are you are seen, validated, and heard. RTZ HOPE provides incredible value with its services, and is always evolving with emerging research, societal needs, and trauma-based knowledge.”

Pregnancy and infant loss is an unique type of loss, leaving the grievers to feel isolated and unsure of how to move forward. We'd be grateful if you you would consider making a contribution to Melinda’s fundraiser in honor of Baby Oak. Your gift ensures that other parents who endure loss on their journey to parenthood have the support, resources, and community they need in order to navigate life after loss.

With your support, here’s what we were able to accomplish during 2022 (2022 Annual Report):

  • Fifty percent of support group participants received financial support to ensure that all parents have access to services.

  • Enhanced outreach to and created support services for Black, Indigenous, and other Communities of Color as a response to the alarming rate of preterm births and stillbirths caused by racial disparities in perinatal and infant health. 

  • Offered 50 different support group programs (virtual workshops, virtual support groups, and in-person retreats) to our community of bereaved families.

  • Supplied our unique perinatal bereavement guides to 400 hospitals and providers to assist in caring for grieving families.

  • Hosted 10 perinatal bereavement education webinars to parents and providers.

  • Created community and spread awareness about pregnancy and infant loss through social media.

Shianne Gundersen